Table Of Contents
The Details
| Rating | 88 |
| Style |
Tennessee Whiskey American Whiskey Whiskey |
| Produced In |
Tennessee United States |
| ABV | 50% |
| Availability | Limited |
| Price | $44.99 |
| Reviewed By | |
| Review Updated | 2024-07-15 |
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011 (2024 Release) Review
Diageo-owned George Dickel is often seen as something of a dark horse in the Tennessee whiskey world (or “whisky” as the brand writes). Most of the brand’s liquid is made at Cascade Hollow Distilling Company — often referred to simply as “George Dickel Distillery” — which often sells barrels to other bottlers in addition to supplying the in-house brand. (If a non-distilling producer releases a 15+ year Tennessee bourbon or Tennessee whiskey, Cascade Hollow is likely the source.)
Dickel is neither as famous nor nearly as large as Jack Daniel’s, but that doesn’t mean it’s not making a consistent impact on the American spirits landscape. Starting in 2019, Dickel began releasing a 12 year, bottled in bond Tennessee whisky with a sub-$50 price tag. The first of what became a yearly release garnered widespread praise, and distiller/director Nicole Austin received accolades for her deft blending touch.
Now in its fifth iteration, George Dickel Bottled in Bond showcases some variance from one release to the next. Though value doesn’t factor directly into VinePair’s scoring system, it’s worth noting the releases stand alone in the spirits landscape with a unique intersection of age, category, and pricing. They’re distilled from Dickel’s classic mash bill of 84 percent corn, 8 percent rye, and 8 percent malted barley. As with all Dickel products, the distillate is chill charcoal filtered before being put into barrel for aging.
And to be clear, this “Tennessee whisky” could very much be classified as a bourbon. Indeed, Dickel labels multiple other products with the same production methods as bourbon, albeit with arguably different flavor profiles.
With that background out of the way, let’s see how the 2024 release of George Dickel Bottled in Bond — distilled in Spring of 2011 — tastes!
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011: Stats and Availability
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011 carries an MSRP of around $45. Though I’ve sometimes seen this bottle hover above $50 in major metropolitan markets, it’s widely available and doesn’t command significant retail markups. (That’s especially true compared to other 12+ year old American whiskeys.) Basically, if you’re hoping to pick up a bottle or two, check at local retail shops and online. You’re likely to find some great deals.
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011 Review
As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.
Nose
Oaky and sweet on the nose, this particular pour shows its age from the very start. Toasted oak — closer to resin than sweet wood sugars — and very lightly baked bread form a jumping off point from which other scents emanate. I find this to be a bit hit-or-miss with George Dickel Bottled in Bond releases, and sometimes minerality leads on Cascade Hollow distillate’s nose. Not as much here, with stewed bananas, crème brûlée, and roasted hazelnuts taking center stage.
Roasted peanuts also come out to play, though not as unabashedly as with 2019’s Batch 1 release (one of the most peanut-forward American whiskeys I’ve sampled). Still, there’s something unmistakably nut-butter-on-toast about the nosing experience here, perhaps as sure a sign as any that Nicole Austin and team are in the pocket on their barrel selection.
If you like a nose rich with caramel and nuts, but lighter on tart fruits, there’s a lot to appreciate sniffing this particular expression.
A little toasted coconut rounds out the nose, along with — yep — some minerality that lingers deep under the aforementioned aromas. Linseed oil and and a small amount of iodine are the main components in that realm, though here, they’re hardly overpowering or even primary scents.
Taste
A first sip is actually a bit muted compared to the nose, the 100-proof spirit taking its time to develop across the palate. I actually clock the mouth feel before the first composed flavors: silky yet viscous, like clarified butter. As with the nose, oak hits early, with enough force to remind sippers of the 12 (plus) year age herein. After the palate acclimates — again, it takes a couple sips — vanilla bean, more wood resin, and toasted rye bread build over time. As with some previous Dickel BiB batches, the palate evokes the flavors of chewing bread as starch breaks down to sugars in the mouth.
Peanuts are up next, the flavor unmistakably but less fatty than nut butter. It reminds me of dried peanut butter powder, a favorite among fitness enthusiasts looking for low-calorie protein shake ingredients. Medicinal and tart cherries make a surprise appearance, adding some welcome tartness in the midst of heavier flavors.
Again, we should talk about the minerality. It’s stronger here than on the nose, with effervescent pops of magnesium and calcium. But once again, I’m not finding it distracting or off putting. In my review, I found the brand’s recent 18 year bourbon faltered because it lacked balance between the mineral (strong) and sweet (overly saccharine) elements on the palate. Here, three main groups of flavors play nicely: light caramel/vanilla sweetness, pronounced wood, and an underpinning of those minerals.
Add in dashes of rye spice and some character from the fruit, and this particular 12 year release achieves good composure without getting dragged down by any one component. I just wish some of the flavors hit earlier — and lingered slightly longer — on the initial few sips.
Finish
If I have one overarching critique of George Dickel 12 Year Bottled in Bond, it’s that finishes tend to get a bit cut short across batches. Batch number five is no exception, the finish starting strong on classic bourbon-esque notes of vanilla, caramel, and wood, then dipping off after about 10-15 seconds. There’s also a subdued but still present taste of roasted coffee bean. The aftertaste is pleasant enough — it never risks getting too bitter, for example — and it’s generally inviting for a return sip.
George Dickel Bottled in Bond Spring 2011 Rating
88/100
Recap
Based on the sipping experience alone, George Dickel’s latest Bottled in Bond is a solid and versatile drinker I’m happy to have on hand at just about any time. Indeed, the brand itself suggests serving either neat or on the rocks, in addition to classic cocktails. (The official press release comes with a house Manhattan recipe.) If one chooses to factor in price — which, again, doesn’t directly impact our score — it’s an undeniably good value. Even better, the 2024 release is a slight step up from some recent batches. Enjoy accordingly.
*Image retrieved from George Dickel
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